The Graduate Sciences Program (GSP) is aimed primarily at increasing opportunities and available programs for students in NOAA related fields to pursue research and educational training in atmospheric, environmental, and oceanic sciences at Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) when possible.  The GSP offers at least two years of NOAA related research and training opportunities. 

Program Objectives:

• To offer candidates with college degrees in math, science, economics, law, social science, and engineering; who have been accepted into a graduate program in a NOAA related science, entry level employment and hands-on research and work experience at NOAA.
• To improve NOAA’s outreach and recruitment efforts of under-represented individuals in the scientific mission-related occupational fields, i.e., fishery biology, environmental law, meteorology, cartography, oceanography, hydrology, computer science, environmental economics, engineering, etc.

• GSP is designed to provide entry level employment opportunities and work experience to qualified graduating seniors and graduate students in Engineering, Biology, Law, Social Science, Economics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science, Computer Science, Geography and Geology that have and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• Students accepted into the Program must be enrolled in an accredited graduate school that has been approved by GSP and recommended by a school official.  NOAA requires proof of acceptance in an accredited graduate program.
• This two year program provides formal periods of work, study, and attending structured classroom training programs in Meteorology, Hydrology, Cartography, Oceanography, Environmental Planning, Marine Biology, Computer Science, and Environmental Law.
• GSP pays tuition, books, lab fees, and a housing allowance at the selected university, travel expenses, and salary during the 16 weeks of NOAA work experience per year for each participant at a NOAA research facility.
• NOAA scientists are assigned as mentors to Graduate Scientists during the training period.

• All newly appointed GSP employees are given an excepted service appointment that requires them to sign a Student Career Experience Program/SCEP Agreement.  The first year of service is a probationary period, grade requirements (3.0 GPA or better) must be maintained for the duration of the program.
• Target positions may be located nationwide, participants must sign a mobility agreement.
• All participants must sign the Training Agreement SF-182, that requires three years of Federal service for each year of university/college level training received.
• Upon successful completion of one academic year of training the Graduate Scientist must demonstrate that requirements of the program have been met in order to obtain approval for the second academic year.

Important Dates:

Oct. 1, 2003 -- Issue Graduate Sciences Vacancy Notice & Begin College Recruitment.

Jan. 26, 2004 -- Vacancy Notice closes & Application deadline.

Mar. 13, 2004 -- Successful applicants are notified of their selection.

Aug. 3-10, 2004 -- Graduate Scientists travel to NOAA Headquarters for an orientation program at the Silver Spring Complex location.

Aug. 17-21, 2004 -- Academic Year begins at college(s)/universities.

Dec. 2004 -- Students report to a NOAA research facility during Winter/Spring Break.

Jun. 2005 -- Students report to NOAA research facility to work and conduct research.

For more information contact Chantell Haskins at 301-713-9437 x 125 or E-mail: Chantell.Haskins@noaa.gov